New England Patriots: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

AFC Notes: Drake Maye, Frank Reich, Mike Vrabel, Jets, Patriots

The Jets were stuffed on a fourth-and-one run out of shotgun late in the fourth quarter of a tied game in Week 2’s loss to the Packers. New York OC Frank Reich defended his play call and is fine living with the results of what he felt was the best play in that spot.

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Patriots Placed LB Quintayvious Hutchins On Injured Reserve

The New England Patriots officially placed LB Quintayvious Hutchins on injured reserve on Friday, per the NFL Transactions wire. Hutchins, 23, is from Bessemer, Alabama, but attended Boston College for several seasons before being selected in the seventh round by the Patriots in the 2026 Draft.

New England Patriots News / New England Patriots on SI / September 25

Patriots Place Rookie Edge Rusher on IR, Open Up Roster Spot

The New England Patriots suffered a few injuries over the past week at their edge rusher position, and now one of those players will be out for an extended period of time.

New England Patriots News / Athlon Sports / September 25

Injuries, Incoming Nor'Easter Have Patriots Scrambling in Preparation for Jacksonville Trip

With the New England Patriots scurrying to get out of town before “storm-ageddon” hits, coach Mike Vrabel and his staff will need to deal with a maelstrom of his own heading into Sunday’s battle at Jacksonville.

NFL News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Active NFL catch leaders' quiz

How many of the active NFL players with at least 400 catches in their career can you name in five minutes?

The 'Last 100-catch season by NFL team' quiz

The 'Multi-TD-catch leaders by team' quiz

The 'Walter Payton Man of the Year' quiz

New England Patriots News / Pro Football Rumors / September 25

Patriots To Evaluate Several RG Options

Michael Onwenu suffered an ankle injury in Week 2, and he is not expected to return to the Patriots’ lineup until at least late in the year. A right guard replacement needs to be identified, and several candidates are in the running.

NFL News / Yardbarker

Ranking the NFL's backup quarterbacks for the 2026 season

A few trades have rearranged the NFL's backup quarterback ranks, but the dust has mostly settled. From a mix of recent first-round disappointments, aging vets, and young project types, here is how the league's QB2 ranks look for the 2026 season.

New England Patriots News / Total Pro Sports / September 25

Robert Kraft Makes Shocking Decision To Cancel All Ed Sheeran Concerts At Gillette Stadium — The Reason Is Not What You’d Expect

Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour has already been through a rough stretch at Gillette Stadium. Robert Kraft’s venue spent weeks at the center of controversy after Macklemore’s removal from the opening lineup.

Drake Maye News / Athlon Sports / September 25

Chasing Perfection: Inside Drake Maye’s Relentless Self-Critique and Year 3 Growth

After an MVP runner-up season in 2025, Drake Maye has struggled to start his 2026 season. Through two games, Maye ranks 25th in passing yards (386) and has a 1-to-4 TD-INT ratio.

Mike Onwenu News / New England Patriots on SI / September 25

Mike Onwenu Could Have Played Final Snaps with Patriots

Since 2020, Mike Onwenu has been a staple on the New England Patriots' offensive line. Could that change once 2027 rolls around? Onwenu, who was placed on IR this week after breaking his right ankle in the team's Week 2 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, is likely going to miss the entire season.

New England Patriots News / Athlon Sports / September 25

Rob Gronkowski Q&A: Patriots Legend Has ‘No Doubt’ Naming Best Tight End in the NFL

New England Patriots legend Rob Gronkowski, who retired after the 2021 season, remains closely tied to the NFL as part of the Sunday studio crew for Fox Sports.

New England Patriots News / New England Patriots on SI / September 25

Zak Kuhr Has Positive Outlook on Patriots’ Dwindling Safety Depth

On paper, the back of the New England Patriots' defense might look a bit iffy this week against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The team lost both Craig Woodson (shoulder) and Dell Pettus (ankle) to injuries last week in their win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

NFL News / Yardbarker

25 NFL players who could retire after the 2026 season

NFL stars can't play forever, and retirement is coming sooner than later for some of the league's top players. These 25 players could call it quits following the 2026 season.

Josh McDaniels News / NFL on ClutchPoints / September 25

Patriots’ Josh McDaniels brushes off early struggles on offense with car analogy

The New England Patriots are searching for offensive rhythm early in the 2026 NFL season, but offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has no interest in pressing the panic button.

Reggie Gilliam News / Athlon Sports / September 24

Reggie Gilliam's Real Value to the Patriots Goes Beyond the Offense

When Reggie Gilliam signed his three-year, $10.8 million contract this offseason with the Patriots, the expectation was that he would help out in the running game as the team’s fullback.

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The 'Active NFL catch leaders' quiz

The '4K-yard, 30-TD NFL seasons' quiz

The 'NFL 100-touchdown club' quiz

The 'Most 300-yard, 3-TD NFL games' quiz

Brenden Schooler News / New England Patriots on SI / September 24

Patriots' Depth Could Be Reinforced with Return of Core Specialist, Safety

After opening training camp on the non-football injury list, New England Patriots safety/specialist Brenden Schooler has been back out at practice with the team.

Josh McDaniels News / Athlon Sports / September 24

Josh McDaniels, Patriots Turning Roster Hurdles into Next-Man-Up Opportunities

Through two games, New England‘s offense has not looked good. Not only did the unit lose its alpha receiver in A.J. Brown, but the franchise quarterback, Drake Maye, looks nothing like he did last season when he was the MVP runner-up.

NFL News / Field Level Media / September 24

Patriots back on the road, looking to lock up potent Jaguars

The New England Patriots were the best road team in the NFL last season, a perfect 8-0 in the regular season. New England travels to Jacksonville on Sunday afternoon looking to start a new streak against the Jaguars.

New England Patriots News / New England Patriots on SI / September 24

3 Patriots Rookies Who've Lived Up To The Hype So Far, Including Special Teams Star

The New England Patriots got a lot of production out of their 2025 draft class a season ago. How have some of this year's rookies looked to kick off their own NFL careers?

Christian Gonzalez News / Athlon Sports / September 24

'We Invite It': Christian Gonzalez, Patriots DBs Ready for Jaguars' Balanced Passing Attack

Week 3 against Jacksonville will present a challenge the 2026 Patriots have yet to see. In the first two weeks, New England’s defense has seen two teams, the Seahawks and Steelers, who have alpha receivers in Jaxon Smith-Njigba and DK Metcalf, respectively.

Drake Maye News / Athlon Sports / September 24

Determined Drake Maye Attacking His Recent Issues Head-on for Patriots

The excuses continue to mount for Drake Maye’s 63.1 passer rating through two games. There are the strong defenses he’s faced, his recurring shoulder woes, the new teammates and the lack of cohesion, the need to play in the preseason … You name it, he’s been excused by it.

New England Patriots News / Yardbarker / September 24

Adam Schefter shares harsh A.J. Brown injury update for Pats fans

Adam Schefter shares harsh A.J. Brown injury update for Patriots fans

Brown suffered a high ankle sprain with no fracture during the club's 13-10 campaign-opening loss at the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 9.

Patriots players share strong reactions to criticisms of Drake Maye

'Scared' Drake Maye singled out amid Patriots' offensive struggles

The '2025 NFL passing-TD leaders' quiz

New England Patriots News / Yardbarker / September 24

Patriots players share strong reactions to criticisms of Maye

Patriots players share strong reactions to criticisms of Drake Maye

The struggles of Maye over the first two weeks of the ongoing season have made for a much-discussed storyline hovering over the organization in the early days of the fall months.

'Scared' Drake Maye singled out amid Patriots' offensive struggles

The '2025 NFL passing-TD leaders' quiz

New England Patriots News / Pro Football Rumors / September 23

Patriots Injury Rumors: Lomu, Schooler, Hollins

With news that Patriots starting right guard Michael Onwenu is set for an extended absence after breaking his right ankle, New England could get creative in order to fill the hole.

New England Patriots News / Stadium Rant / September 23

Patriots Offense: 2 Crucial Changes That Could Ignite A Spark

The New England Patriots offense has faced plenty of criticism early in the season. While the unit showed improvement in its 20-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2, it hasn’t shown the same big-play ability that was displayed in 2025.

Dell Pettus News / NFLTradeRumors.co / September 23

Patriots Placing S Dell Pettus On IR, Among Two Roster Moves

Patriots HC Mike Vrabel announced that they plan to place S Dell Pettus on injured reserve Wednesday, per Chad Graff. Vrabel added that they are signing OLB Jose Ramirez from the practice squad to the active roster, per Mike Reiss. Pettus, 25, originally signed with the Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2024 out of Troy.

New England Patriots News / Stadium Rant / September 23

Patriots See Five Players Hurt In Week Two

This past Sunday, September 20, the New England Patriots saw a turnaround they and the fans were hoping for after the opening-week loss against the Seahawks.

New England Patriots News / Yardbarker / September 23